Daily Advertiser 6th August 1914
By mid-1914 Australians were aware through their newspapers of the rising tensions and dangers of war in Europe.
The response to the outbreak of war was generally one of joint patriotic exuberance for the nation and for the British Empire.
Whatever happens, Australia is part of the Empire right to the full.
Remember that when the Empire is at war, so is Australia at war.
That being so, you will see how grave is the situation.
So far as the defences go here and now in Australia, I want to make it quite clear that all our resources in Australia are in the Empire and for the Empire and for the preservation and security of the Empire.
Prime Minister Joseph Cook in a speech in Horsham, Victoria on August 1, 1914
